Method and apparatus for closing the projecting ends of wrapping sleeves for cigars



Aug. 17, 1937. H. lAHNE ET AL 2,090,448

. METHOD AND AP AT FOR CLOSING THE PROJECTING ENDS OF WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR CIGARS Filegi Aug. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 17, 1937. E. H. JAHNE ET AL 2,090,448

7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE PROJECTING ENDS 0F WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR CIGARS Filed Aug. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 tl Eve/772mg F a 55 J2 M E. H. JAHNE ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE PROJEQTING ENDS 0F WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR-CIGARS Filed Aug. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 17, 1937.

Aug. 17, 1937. JAHNE ET AL 2,090,448

. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE PROJECJTVING ENDS 0F WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR- CIGARS Filed Aug. 25, 19:56 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 L e/ 73 E 316 1: 80 B, L(//fc E. H. JAHNE ET AL 2,090,448

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLQSING THE PROJECTING ENDS 0F WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR CIGARS Filed Aug. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Shegt 5 N a RT -A O I u. v

C??? WWW Aug. 17, 1937. H

E. JAHNE ET AL 2,090,448 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE PROJECTING ENDS OF WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR CIGARS Filed Aug. 25, 1936. '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 In vent 0P3,-

Ernst H- JZ/me and O to Ulke v 87 MM Htiqrney 1937. E. H. JAHNE ET AL 2,090,448

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE PROJECTING ENDS OF WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR CIGARS Filed Aug. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-She et 7 Him Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNlTED STATES means METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR. CLOSING THE PROJECTING ENDS OF WRAPPING SLEEVES FOR CIGARS Ernst Hermann Jahne and Otto Bernhard Ulke, Dresden, Germany, assignors to Universelle Cigarettenmaschinen-Fabrik J. C.Muller & C0.;

Dresden, Germany Application August 25, 1936, Serial No. 97,852 In Germany August 29, 1935.

20 Claims.

Thepresent invention relates to a novel and improved method and apparatus for closing the ends of cigar wrappings.

As is well known, cigars are often wrapped in a sleeve which consists of Glassine or the like.

On inserting the cigars in the tubular sleeves portions of the latter project at each end of the cigar. A number of methods and apparatus are known for closing these projecting ends.

0 In general, according to the prior art, the projecting ends are closed by folding in such manner that the resultant folds extend longitudinally of the sleeves. The folds are then compressed,

and finally the folded and compressed sleeve ends are either folded again transversely thereof or they are bent over in order thatthey may be attached, by cementing or the like, to the portion of the sleeve about the body of the cigar. As

a rule, the initial folding is such that bellowslike creases result.

In closing the ends of the tubular sleeve, the

object is to produce a fold'which offers a maximum resistance to the constant tendency of the Glassine paper or the like to return to its origig5 nal form. Moreover, the fold must be made so as to provide a completely airtight closure.

The folds hitherto provided do not, according to experience, completely fulfill these requirements, as the bellows-like fold of the Glassine :50 paper tends again toexpand and open the folds.

These defects are obviated by the present invention, according to which the projecting ends, while initially folded longitudinally, are folded in such manner as to produce a Z-shaped fold,

I35 rather than the undesirable bellows-like type of fold. According to the present invention, a completely tight closure'is produced when the Z- shaped folds are compressed on each other.

Use is preferably made of an apparatus which 40 is provided with two opposite parallel bending (or folding) bars, which are inserted in the ends of the tubular sleeve projecting from the cigar, and with two relatively staggered and movable bending fingers which swing in from the side and from 5 the exterior between the parallel bending bars and thereby impart the Z-shape to the projecting sleeve end. V It is advantageous to mount the bending bars as well as the oscillatable bending fingers so that 59 they may move transversely to their planes, so that after formation of the Z-shaped fold of the sleeve end, the bending bars and bending fingers can come together in order to compress and flatten the Z folds, relatively movable pressing jaws 55 being provided which engage the superposed folds before the return of the bending bars and bending fingers and completely compress them.

The invention is explained in detail with reference to the other figures of the drawings which i1- lustrate an exemplary embodiment of the new I apparatus.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a method of folding a cigar wrapper end to form a bellows-like fold;

Fig. la is an end view of compressed form; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cigar wrapper end folded into Z-form, according to the present invention; 1

Fig. 20, is an end view of the fold of Fig. 2 in compressed form;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of an apparatus according to the'present invention; v

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the'apparatusof Fig. 3 viewed in the direction of arrowIV (Fig. 3) Fig. 5 is a side elevation viewed from the left, with reference to Fig. 6;

the fold of Fig; 1 in Figs. 6 to 9 are vertical cross sections along the corresponding lines VI-VI, VII-VII, VIII-VIII, and IXIX of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8a. is a detail showing of the adhesiveapplying means.

Figs. 10, 10a, 11, 11a, details.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, this shows a type of folding of a cigar wrapper end, whereby the undesirable bellows-like creases result. The wrapper or sleeve H, which encompasses the "cigar, is folded bysuitable folding means so as to form the surfaces (1; and b above and below, these being connected together by lateral obliquely-extending surfaces 0 andd. The folds thus produced arecompressed, as shown by the elevation of Fig. la, so that the sleeve end projecting from the cigar appears as a flattened strip. As hereinbefore pointed out, a fold of this character has a marked tendency tounfold and open.

This diificultyis overcome by folding the projecting wrapper ends, according to this invention, in such manner that a Z-shaped fold results; see Fig. 2. When compressed to flattened strip form, this fold will appear in cross section as shown in Fig. 2a.

In practicing the present invention, the individual cigars are carried by the holders 19 which are attached in pairs, at uniform intervals, on two parallel conveyor chains 20. The two conveyor chains are carried over two pairs of guide 12 and 12a are showings of Wheels 2! which are disposedat the twoends:

- 20 to Figs. 10 and 11.

ofthe apparatus and one of which is intermittently driven in conventional manner, so that the conveyor chains are advanced to the extent of one subdivision in the direction of the arrow shown on Fig. 3. Before the cigars Z are placed in the holders I 9, they are encompassed with the sleeve-like Glassine paper casing. It is immaterial in this connection, whether the sleeve"- H is formed into a casing from a rectangular piece about the cigars or whether, like in cig-' arette wrappers, a tubular structure is produced from which suitable piecesare severed and provided with the cigars. As soon as the sleeve, provided with the cigar, has been carried by means of the conveyor chains to the point designated by e, the Z-shaped folding of the two sleeve ends begins. explained with reference to Figs. 10, 100;, ll, and 11a; Figs. 10a and 11a being views at right angles The folding in at one sleeve end is first described; the folding in of the other sleeve end takes place simultaneously in the same manner. 7

Two superposed bar pairs I and 2, which together form a bending or folding bar, are carried by the blocks 3 and 4, which form the ends of longitudinally slidably journalled supporting shafts 5 and 6. These supports are also movable inthe longitudinal direction of the bars I and 2. The supports 5 and 6 move simultaneously from the position shown on Figs. 3 and 4 to the center of the ends E. Thereupon the folding bars formed by the bars I and 2 pass into the open end E of the sleeve H encompassing the cigar (see Fig. 10). r

In addition, the folding fingers I and 8 are I attached to the blocks 9 and II) which form the ends of longitudinally and transversely movable shafts II and I2. The horizontally positioned folding fingers I and 8, constructed as flat bars, are provided at their ends directed toward the sleeve H with the oblique creasing edges I3 and I4. The folding fingers are relatively staggered with respect to the foldingbars I and 2 (see particularly Fig. 10a); they are opposite each other, and in such manner that they can penetrate into the space between thefolding bars I and 2 on corresponding movement of their supports.

This takes place as soon as the folding bars I and 2 are inserted in the projecting end E of the tubular sleeve H. The folding bars then pass from the position of Fig. 10 into that of Fig. 11. The resultant movement of the folding fingers causes the end E to be converted intov a Z-shape. so that, at that point the material of the tube end is superposed in double wallformation (see Fig. 11a).

As a'result of the oblique members I3 and I4,

as shown by Fig. 11, the profile of the folded tube end conforms with that of the end of the cigar Z, as the inward folding is made smaller by the folding fingers I and 8.

When the folding has progressed thus far and the structure shown on Fig. 2a is produced, then all the bending and folding fingers have moved relatively and assume a position like that shown on Fig. 11; the folded surfaces now lie smoothly on each other and a structure is produced as 7O shown on Figs. 12, 12a.

The folding means described is controlled in the following manner.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the spindles 5 and 6 are journalled for rotation and longitudinal 75 movement in bearing blocks I5, The hearing The manner in which this is doneisfirst,

blocks I5 are attached above and below to a slide member I6. The slide I6 is movable longitudinally in the direction of the double arrow, being retained in the guides I]. The reciprocal movement of slide I6 is effected through the medium of an oscillating lever I8, the upperend of which is connected, by the link 22 on a downwardly extending lug 23, with the slide. nalled'on the lever i8, which is pivoted at 24 on the frame of the apparatus, is the roller 25 which engages cam 26; the latter is mounted on the main drive shaft 21, adjacent to another cam 28 which cooperates with the roller 29. The roller 29 is mounted on a rod 33 which is pivoted, on the. one hand, to lever I8, and on the other hand, encompasses shaft 2! with its forked end 3|. The two cams 25 and 28 are relatively arranged and configured so that the twolevers I8 and I8 are given a simultaneous movement in opposite direction. 'I'hereupon lever I8, by means of a link member 22, engages with another slide I6 which, as shown on Fig. 4, carries the same control means as slide I6. Since slide I6 is provided with the same means and as its functions are the same as those of slide I6, only the rightpart of the apparatus, as shown on Fig. 4, is described hereinafter. The same applies also for the parts of the apparatus shown. particularly on Fig. 3 which are also provided on the opposite side and which serve for closing the opposite sleeve end.

The shafts 5 and 6 are provided with radially directed pins 32, to the ends of which a traction spring 33 is attached. This'spring 33 tends to rotate the shafts 5 or 6 so that the bars I and 2 are swung outwardly. The shafts 5 and 6 are, however, prevented from this movement by projections provided on'the small bearing blocks I5, so that the spring retains'the barsI and 2 in the position shown on Fig. 3. The functionof the spring is merely to yield somewhat, if necessary, to a tendency to move the bars I, I and/or 2, 2 with respect to each other.

J our- Provided on each lateral extension 34 of slide I6 is a small guide block 35 which is moved horizontally but at right angles to the direction in which slide It moves, These guideblocks 35 are controlled by the angle levers 3'! which are oscillatably journalled to the slide I6 by means of the pivot pins 38 attached to the extensions 34. The forked end 39 of each of these angle levers 31 engages one of the pins 4|] provided on the guide blocks.

On the other hand, the free forked ends 4| of- I the angle levers 31 each engage a pin 42, these pins being attachedto the frame of the apparatus. If thus the slide I6 is moved to the left,

relative to Fig. 3, the angle levers are oscillated The two small guide blocks 35 are thereupon moved towards in the direction of theiarrows.

each other and the folding fingers I and 8 describe the movement explained with respect to Figs. 10and 11. 'It is to be noted, in this regard, that the shafts II and I2 are retained axially sliclably but non-rotatably in the bearing eyes 36 of the bearing blocks 35.

The vertical movement which the bending fingers I, 2 and I, 8 describe with respect to each other is derived from four cam members 43 which are adjustably attached to extensions 44 of the machine frame. Cooperating with these cam members are the rollers 45 which areprovided on the double-arm levers 46. These levers 46 are rotatably journalled by means of the pivot pins 41 on the slide extensions 41a. The two free ends of the levers 46 disposed above the slide. it are connected together by across bar 48, while the levers l-fi disposed below the 'slide l-Gaare connected by a corresponding rod 49. This rod;4 8-is so arranged as to lie over the axes or shafts, 5, 5 and Ii preferably provided with a head-like enlargement. Coiled about these shafts are pressureispnngs which tend to hold them iniithexposition shown on Fig. 4. The same is the case 'relative' to red 49. pliedgfrom below against the shafts 6, 6 and I2, forced downwardly by corresponding pressure springs. On movement of1slide l6 totheleft, withrespectto Fig. 4, the levers are oscillated in':thev direction of the arrows shown'on Fig. 4.

7 Thereupon,.the rods 48, d9, press from above and below'onthe head-like enlargements of the shafts 5, 5, II and 6, 5, l2, whereby the folding mechanism is shifted as shown particularly on Fig. 11a.

A set of pressing jaws 50, 5| is provided for each end E of the sleeve in the position 6, the function of these pressing jaws being-to come together while the folding members are still in the position shown on Fig. lla. These pressing jaws 50, 51 are carried by the extending arms 52 which are attached to the two slides 53 and 54. The two slides comprise two vertical guide rods 55. Engaging with the upper slide 53 of the pressing jaw. is the link member 56 which, on the other hand, is connected by the pivot pin 51 with the. lever arm 58, 59 of a three-armed lever 5850 (see Figs. 5 and 6).

Engaging with leverarm 60 is the rod 6!, the forked end 62 of which engages the drive shaft Y 21, and by means of a roller 63 journalled thereon is in engagement with the cam 64 mounted on the shaft 21. The lever arm 66, 61 of the three-armed lever Eli-68 engages -by means of the link member 65 with the lower slide 54 which carries the pressing jaws 5!. Engaging with the free lever arm 68 is arod 69 which with its forked end it encompasses the drive shaft 2! and is engaged, by means of the roller H journalled thereon, with a cam disc 12 mounted on shaft 21. By means of the spring shown on the drawings the rod is actuated so that the rollers 53 and Hare always held engaged with their respective cams. The cams-are formed and relatively displaced in such manner that as soon as the slide I6 has reached the operative end position the two pressing jaws 5B and 5| are brought together by the cams 64,12, so that the folding means and the material of the cigar casing are pressed together, whereupon the parts are in the position shown on Fig. 11a. The jaws are thereupon slightly moved apart by the cam members, whereupon. the slides l6 are drawn back. to their initial position. As soon asthe folding means has been withdrawn from the ends of the sleeve, the pressing jaws 50, 5| are again brought together, so that only the Z-shaped sleeve material is pressed together.

The pressing jaws are thenagain moved apart so that the sleeve ends are entirely free. The conveyor chains 20 then advance to-the extent of one stepin the direction of the arrow shown on Fig. 3, so that the next sleeve provided with the cigar comes into the position whereupon the operation is repeated. After termination thereof the conveyor chain advances a. step farther, whereby another sleeve provided with a cigar moves to the operative position designated 6. During this advance movement the sleeve, folded vtogether at theends as above de- The latter is ap' scribed, is carried successively to the'positions designated 12g, it, etc. 5

At' the position designed i, the folded ends of the sleeve H are coordinated with a set of bearing fingers l4 and 13 (see also 'Fig. '7). The fingers l3.disposed below the cigar end are each attached to a slide 16 which comprises the two guide rods 35 and "H; Engaging with each slide Hi is a link member l8-which is connected at theother endb'y-the :pivot pin .19 with the end ofalever arm Sil 01:55. The lever arms 89, are mounted on the three-armed levers Sill- 82 ended-415;. lever arm82 being in engagement with rod 83. Ihe forked end 84 of the latter'is connected' to the :inainiadri-ve shaft- 2?, while its otherzzend, provided with guide roller 88, bears on camwmember 89. The upper folding finger M is attached to a slide 9ilwhich engageson the one *handa-guiderod 9| and .on the other hand, the: guide rod IT; Engaging on each slide 99 .is arlink member-92, these link members being con v nected by the'ipi'votlpins :93 'withthe lever'arms 8t o'rr94 ofthe-three-armed levers 8882 and 9 i96, Engaging with the lever arm 96 of the three-armed'lever's 9495 isthe rod 91, the free forkedzend 98*of'which encompasses'the shaft 21; The guide roller99 provided on the rod 91 is engaged with the cam Hi0 mounted on shaft 21. As soon as the cigar casing H'passes into the range of the folding fingers I3, 14, they are moved 'toward each other, as shown on Fig. '7 (dotted position). The finger. I3 thereupon servesas a counter-support while the fi ger it turns the folded endrectangularly downward.

It. is-to be noted that the rods 83 and"? also areactuated by springs so that their guide rollers 88 and 39 are drawn toward their respective cams.

As shown 'particul'arlyon' Fig. 3,. the adhesive receptaclesllll'are coordinated with the path of-:the conveyor chains':2ll; Each of these adhesi-vereceptacles is provided',,as shown on Fig. 8; with two parallel wick nozzles from which the adhesive wicks I BZextend. By :means of regulating orqadjusting devices 03, the wicks can be so adjusted that when the sleeve provided with the-cigar passes from the position i to the p sition a the two sleeve ends which are folded together are bent down at right angles and passed betwee-nthe wick ends saturated with adhesive, being guided thereto by means of guide members H3211 (Fig. 8a). Thereby the sleeve ends, which a efolded together-into several layers. take up the adhesive to such extent that when the sleeve.

passes from-the position-9 to the position It these sleeve ends are abundantlyprovided with adhesive.-.-

iThe operativcipositicn designated by k is coordinated with-folding 'S1ideS'iB4,'t-he ends 305 of which are hollowed out to conform to the shape o'f.ithe cigar. These slides are retained so as to be" horizontally movable in guides Hi6. Engaging-with the slides I04, by means of the linkismembers lfi'l, arethe oscillating levers E53, which are journalled at 5'89 in the frame of the apparatus. By means of a traction spring 1 Ill engagingwiththelever I88 at the right of Fig; Q the roller Hl journalled on the said lever is drawnagain'st a cam l l2 which ismounted on shaft 21.

Lever IGBrat theleft of. Fig. 9 isengaged by aurod' H3 which engages shaft 2'l by a slide guide :45 A roller 1 I I journalled on'rod H3 is drawnby the corresponding. spring l H] against thetcam discjl l5xmounted:oniishaft 21.

1. In a method of closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, the step of longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped transverse configuration.

2. Method of closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising first longitudinally folding each end in such manner as to form a Z-shaped fold thereiinthen flattening each folded sleeve end by subjecting it to compression, then folding each flattened end over transversely thereof, and finally securing each folded over portion 'to the body of the sleeve.

3. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular Wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising two oppositely positioned parallel folding oars adapted to be inserted into one of said ends, means for inserting said bars into and withdrawing them from said end, and two relatively staggered and movable folding fingers mounted for oscillatory movement into lateral engagement with said sleeve end intermediate said parallel folding bars, whereby a Z-shaped configuration is imparted to the sleeve end;

4. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means'for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing each folded end into flattened form, means for folding each flattened end over transversely thereof, and means for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the sleeve. 7

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, said first named means comprising a plurality of folding bars insertible into each projecting end and a pair of relatively displaced folding fingers movable laterally into engagement with each sleeve end on opposite sides thereof. a 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said folding bars and folding fingers being mounted for movement perpendicularly of the planes thereof, means'for moving said bars and fingers toward each other after formation of Z-shaped fold of the sleeve end, whereby the latter is initially flattened, and means for finally compressing the sleeve end into flattened form.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said folding bars and folding fingers being mounted for movement perpendicularly of the planes thereof, means for moving said bars and fingers toward each other after formation of Z-shaped fold of the sleeve end, whereby the latter is initially flattened, relatively movable pressing jaws adapted to receive said end to finally compress the same into flattened form, and means for actuating said pressing jaws. 8. Apparatus as definedin claim 3, the opposed edges of said folding fingers extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the wrapping sleeve, whereby the portions of said fingers which contact the outer portions Having described the invention, what is claimed of the sleeve end'overlap each other upon completion of the folding operation.

9. Apparatus for closing the projecting end of a tubular wrapping sleeve for cigars, comprising two oppositely positioned parallel folding bars adapted to be inserted into said end, two relatively displaced folding fingers oscillatable into lateral engagement with said sleeve end intermediate said parallel folding bars, a slidable support upon which said bars and fingers are mounted, said support being slidable axially with respect to: said sleeve, and cam means coacting with said slidable supportfor actuation thereof.

10. Apparatus as definedin claim 9, and means associated with saidslidable support for imparting oscillatory movement to said fingers as said support is actuated;

'11. Apparatus for closing the projecting end of a tubular wrapping sleeve for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding said end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing the folded end into flattened form, meansfor transversely bending down the folded and flattened sleeve end rectangularly to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve,

said last-named means comprising apair of movable bending members disposed respectively above and below said sleeve end, and means for adhesively securing the bent-over end to the body of the sleeve. a

12. Apparatus as defined in claim. 11, means for moving one of said bending members into close juxtaposition with said sleeve end whereby it constitutes a support for the latter, and means for actuating the other bending member'to bend said. end over said support. l

13. Apparatus for closing the, projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration, means for compressing each folded end into flattened form, means for folding each flattened end over'transversely thereof, andmeans for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the sleeve, said last-named means comprising an adhesiveapplying device mounted for relative movement with reference to said sleeve ends.

14. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing each folded end into flattened form, means for folding each flattened end over transversely thereof,,and means for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the sleeve, said last-named means comprising an adhesiveapplying device mounted for relative movement with reference to said sleeve. ends, said adhesiveapplying device comprising two parallel projecting adhesive-applying wicks between which the sleeve ends are drawn. A

15. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular Wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing each folded end into flattened form, means for folding each flattened 'end over transversely thereof, and means for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the'sleeve, said last-named means comprising a device for applying adhesive to said ends and an applicator member for applying the adhesivecoated ends to the body of the sleeve.

16. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing each folded end into flattened form, means for folding each flattened end over transversely thereof, and means for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the sleeve, said last-named means comprising a device for applying adhesive to said ends and an applicator member for applying the adhesivecoated ends to the body of the sleeve, said applicator being shaped to correspond to the form of the cigar ends, whereby it is adapted to retain the adhesive-coated ends in close contact with the body of the sleeve until the adhesive has set.

17. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing each folded end into fiattened form, means for folding each flattened end over transversely thereof, and means for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the sleeve, said last-named means comprising a device for applying adhesive to said ends and an applicator member for applying the adhesivecoated ends to the body of the sleeve, said applicator comprising a slide member movable axially with respect to the sleeve, said slide member being provided at its engaging end with a hollow portion corresponding to the form of the cigar end.

18. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars, comprising means for longitudinally folding each end into Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for compressing each folded end into flattened form, means for folding each flattened end over transversely thereof, and means for adhesively securing each folded-over end to the body of the sleeve, said last-named means comprising a device for applying adhesive to said ends and an applicator member for applying the adhesive-coated ends to the body of the sleeve, said applicator being shaped to correspond to the form of the cigar ends, and means for heating said applicator, whereby it is adapted to retain the adhesivecoated ends in close contact with the body of the sleeve until the adhesive has set.

19. Apparatus for closing the projecting ends of tubular wrapping sleeves for cigars comprising a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced devices for successively folding said ends into Z- shape section, compressing the folded ends, transversely bending the compressed ends, applying adhesive to the latter, and applying the adhesivecoated ends to the body of the sleeve; and intermittently-actuated conveyor means for successively moving the sleeves and cigars from one device to the next.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, a drive shaft common to all said devices and arranged substantially parallel to said conveyor means, and means for severally transmitting motion from said drive shaft to said devices.

ERNST HERMANN JAHNE.

oT'I'o BERNHARD ULKE. 

